Mother in law taken our baby stuff

I'm 37+3

My mother in law has been staying with us for 3 months, she has been I the UK for just under 6 months as my husbands brother invited her to the UK. She has been staying in our spare room. My mother in law has now returned home 3 days ago. I went into the baby's room to discover all the baby's clothes are gone, blankets, crib bedding, soft toys etc my husband immediately called his mum and she said yes she took them to give as gift to the people living in her neighbourhood. She doesn't see the problem as we can buy everything again. My husband then discovered the she has even took the mattresses for the moses basket and next to me, baby bottles and the mobile for the cot. She just opened everything as it's all new and stuff them in her bag and left the packaging in my sons empty wardrobe!

I'm sad, angry and just don't know ifnim being dramatic or not. We gave her plenty of money, gifts ans clothes to distribute to people I don't see why she had to take our baby's stuff. My sister in law called me and said please don't be angry as me and my husband and two different cultures (I'm Welsh he is Nigerian) bare in mind we have been married 8 years and we already have 2 children. To top it off our car seat box was also open and a big cut in it. My husband said his mother couldn't do something like that, but I have pictures of everything when I first unbox it to check it all.

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.
Add a comment
Avatar

Definitely not being dramatic, I’m from an Indian background and you could say theres some similarities… I would absolutely hit the roof…

Probably not worth mentioning anything to her to avoid drama (I also find people from that generation don’t see the error of their ways and its like speaking to a brick wall)

I would make a list of missing things and get your husband / SIL and those around to reorder and unbox everything if youre able to and maybe lock the nursery?

You’re 9 months pregnant, definitely don’t need the extra stress!!!! Will she be staying while baby is here?

Avatar

Oh my god! I’m so sorry this has happened. I would be furious. This is theft…?

Avatar

What the actual fuck..... im sorry no. She has litrally stollen from her grandchild. Doesn't matter if u can buy it all again its not the point. She'd committed a crime. If it was me id be calling the poilce

Avatar

That is absolutely DISGUSTING! I would be fuming, it's theft and she has commited a crime.

I don't care if it's a cultural thing. Too many people hide behind this as an excuse for abbohorent behaviours. I would be reporting it to the police.

Avatar

I would report to police…family or not. This shouldn’t have happened to you.

Avatar

I am Nigerian and if my MIL or even my mom did this, I will be fuming
Oh my
It’s not about buying again, it’s the fact that she didn’t even tell you
Oh my God
You went through lots to curate your baby the lovely things and she just took them

Avatar

Yeah she wouldn’t be allowed back in my home again. No discussion, she’s banned from stepping another foot in. That is CRAZY and cultural difference or not, she knew what she was doing. My dad is Caribbean and my husband is Bangladeshi, I understand the aspect of cultural differences and grew up with my parents sending barrels to Jamaica. NEVER would I accept anyone stealing from my child. I’m so sorry this has happened to you, especially when you’re so close to your due date, I know it takes time to build everything up

Avatar

She’d be banned from being within 20 miles of me 😂 what the actual heck

Avatar

I’m Nigerian and I believe a selfish mil could have done this! Very appalling behaviour to be honest.

I’m sorry about this

Please make a list and ask your husband and his family to rebuy everything. Let your husband know she really disappointed you.

Avatar

This is beyond me, she sounds like a bitter jealous woman and to be honest I don't think your angry enough. MIL or not sometimes they need to be put in their place who ever it upsets. What she has done is dam right disrespectful and hurtful. So now you and your husband have to come out of pocket to replace everything. She should not ever be allowed in your home again. Also im so sorry your dealing with this I hope you are okay x

Avatar

That is not okay. I would be furious and cut her off instantly.

Avatar

That is horrible!! I don’t understand how she could why she would ever think it was acceptable to give to others as gifts!

If she’s gone back to her country, I honestly wouldn’t report it to the police as there’s not much they could do when it comes to getting the items back. Plus you would have to sign a statement saying you’d attend court against her.

I agree with making a list of everything gone and making your MIL/SIL pay for everything again. It’s not about the money or whether you can afford it. They were items you bought your child. Who could literally come at any day now and it’s all gone.

Avatar

Sorry but no, culture etc doesn’t excuse stealing! I’d be absolutely fuming and would ring the police tbh! She either sends you the money to replace everything or she finds a way of getting it back to you. Entirely inexcusable! hope you’re ok!

Avatar

Immediately I started reading it, I knew that mother in law must be a Nigerian. I am a Nigerian so no emotions attached.

Just let your husband know that history must not repeat itself as that mother in law is never going to step into your house again.

Some mother in laws are just so wicked that you will start imagining if they are humans.

So sorry you have to be going through this stress at this stage.

Avatar

She would not be welcomed in my house ever again. Dont give a s*** if is culture or not. This is MY home and will follow MY culture. Shove your culture where the sun doesnt shine cus I aint accepting that. Her son can go see her, cus I aint having her over ever again

Read more on Peanut

Trending

in our community

Is it bad of me to think this or no?

My husband has been abroad for work (1 day and exploring for 1 day) for 2 and a half days which means I’ve had both kids (1 year and 4 year old) for 2 and a half days plus cooking, cleaning, taking them to clubs, bedtimes!
He came home late afternoon and said I’m so tired, I just need to chill. I said can you wash up whilst I sort kids dinner out, he said he’ll do it later which means he won’t do it and I’ll end up doing it so I said no do it now please otherwise I’ll end up doing it and he said well you have been home and I’ve been away so you’ve just been relaxing.
Don’t know what planet he is on but having the kids alone for 2.5 days is not relaxing. I was stressed!

When he was away, I did miss him and wanted him to come back but now he’s back, I want him to go away again😂
Is that bad?

Avatar

2

13

Post partum dad

I have a 2 month old. A few weeks ago my husband crashed out because he didn't feel like he was getting to bond with her. I started exclusively breastfeeding around that time and honestly didnt see the big deal. Baby and I left for a few days and when we got back home, everything was fine. He was extremely hands-on. He helped with my meals, her bedtime, bath, stories.....for a few weeks it was great. Then he randomly sounds depressed af. He says our lo is better off without him, he wants to sleep all day , he asks me not to watch tv then tried playing a video game. He refused to reply to me when i asked any follow-up questions. Then he woke up our baby trying to race me to the bathroom first thing in the morning . He's doing a weird mix of crying, trying, and giving up. Im starting to feel like I cant handle him not being able to handle life with baby and just want to be alone. Are there resources for men?

Avatar

3

6

Really bothered by this

A friend posted this and it really bothers me because that is exactly how she parents her kid, and it's rather unfortunate because when our kids hang out together, her kid has a meltdown at least 5x within an hour. We have know them for years and it's only gotten worse. My kids will concede to hers, because they don't want to see their friend crying, but it sucks because they give up so much of their toys and enjoyment to keep the peace. We aren't hanging out as much anymore but it's rather sad to think she doesn't intervene more in her child tantrums and just let's it slide

Avatar

4

Feeding

My son is coming up to five months and I just started giving him oatmeal and rice cereal. When can you start trying veggies or fruits? I only give him the oatmeal or rice cereal once a day right now which is what the paediatrician had said to do. I’m just curious to when anybody tried anything else with their kids cause my son eats a lot of formula and he’s VERY curious when I eat.

Avatar

5

6

My 2 year old won’t eat nothing but snacks

Is this normal ? He won’t even try anything I eat .. he really only like pizza fries and spaghetti… nuggets and snacks bananas some other fruit but like anything else he won’t eat if try but I don’t want to force him I’m just I feel like bad I mean he isn’t losing weight I breastfeed mostly still

Avatar

1

8

Is this normal

Let’s say you’re at a softplay with your 2 year old, and some friends & their toddlers.
You buy your 2 year old a kids meal - chicken nuggets, beans, and chips. They’re very happy with it and have almost eaten it all.
They’re sat at the table, fork in hand, consistently eating, and have one chicken nugget left.
Your adult friend comes over from behind you, picks up the last chicken nugget, and eats it.
There was no indication that your child wasn’t going to eat it, and they didn’t ask. They just took it with no warning and ate it right in front of you and your toddler.
How you reacting?

Avatar

13

Read more on Peanut